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This website is only for basic information. It is not to be considered medical advice or a substitute for obtaining your own medical consultation, during which you will be informed also about possible risks, side effects and restrictions of refractive & cataract surgery. Not all treatment options are approved or offered in every country and approved labeling and instructions may vary from one country to another. This site is also not intended for patients and healthcare providers residing in the United States of America and Japan.

The PhotoRefractive Keratectomy (PRK) procedure has been performed for many decades. First introduced in the late 1980s, PRK surgery is suitable for correcting myopia (near-sightedness), hyperopia (far-sightedness) with or without astigmatism. So, if you are thinking about PRK eye surgery, read on to find out what you should expect during the treatment.

What is ZEISS PRK?

The PRK procedure step-by-step

What happens when you undergo PRK procedure

Preparation for your PRK procedure starts a few weeks before your treatment date. Your doctor will advise you to stop wearing contact lenses four to two weeks before surgery (depending on the type of lenses you wear). You should not wear make-up, perfume, face creams or similar cosmetics the day before or on the day of your treatment. These products may leave debris around the eye, increasing the risk of post-op infections.

On the day of your PRK eye surgery, you will be treated as an outpatient with no overnight stay at your chosen clinic or hospital. A typical PRK procedure takes around 15 minutes per eye and involves the following steps:

  • PRK surgery in detail

    Step by step through the PRK procedure
  • 1st Step
    1st Step

    Numbing the eye

    Anaesthesia drops are used to numb the eye a short time before the procedure. An eyelid holder is used to prevent the eye from blinking during the procedure.

  • 2nd Step
    2nd Step

    Loosen the epithelium

    The doctor administers a few drops of alcohol solution to dissolve the epithelium.

  • 3rd Step
    3rd Step

    Removing the epithelium

    The epithelium is completely removed with a special instrument.

  • 4th Step
    4th Step

    Reshaping the cornea

    An excimer laser sculpts the corneal tissue based on your prescription. The new shape of the cornea corrects how light travels through it, thereby sharpening your vision.

  • 5th Step
    5th Step

    Bandage contact lens

    After surgery is complete, your ophthalmic surgeon inserts a bandage contact lens to support healing and comfort.

PRK recovery process

Your surgeon may want to have you stay in the clinic or hospital for a little while as a precaution. Immediately after you have been discharged, your eyesight will not have recovered enough for you to drive, so you will need to arrange a lift home. In the first days after the PRK procedure, you should use the eye drops as prescribed by your doctor, avoid rubbing or touching your eye and refrain from work to give your eyes time to heal. Get more information on the recovery process.

Frequently Asked Question about the PRK procedure

  • Yes! Depending on your preference and your ophthalmic surgeon’s recommendation, the PRK procedure can be performed on one or both eyes in a single treatment.

  • One of the most popular laser vision corrections available, LASIK, involves your surgeon creating a corneal flap to correct your vision. This may not be suitable for every patient, particularly as it runs the risk of the flap being dislodged or infected post-surgery. However, PRK is not the only flapless option. Lenticule Extraction with ZEISS SMILE offers a flapless, minimally invasive alternative that leverages advanced technology and techniques. If you are considering PRK or LASIK, talk to your eye doctor to see if Lenticule Extraction using ZEISS SMILE would be a more suitable option for your individual needs.

  • Go to our FAQ page

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To find out more about PRK and your personal suitability, don’t hesitate to talk to an eye doctor that offers PRK.

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    This website is only for basic information. It is not to be considered medical advice or a substitute for obtaining your own medical consultation, during which you will be informed also about possible risks, side effects and restrictions of refractive & cataract surgery. Not all treatment options are approved or offered in every country and approved labeling and instructions may vary from one country to another. This site is also not intended for patients and healthcare providers residing in the United States of America and Japan.